Brooklyn Center: Man shocked while trimming tree

A man in Brooklyn Center is hospitalized after being shocked while trimming a tree Saturday afternoon.

The Brooklyn Center police and fire departments responded to a possible electrocution about 3:30 p.m. in the 4500 block of 69th Avenue North, said police Sgt. Steve Pastor.

When police arrived, they found an "adult male lying in a yard with injuries consistent with coming in contact with power lines," Pastor said. It is believed the man was trimming a tree near a power line right before the incident. It is not clear if he came in contact with a power line, Pastor said.

The man was taken to an area hospital with unknown injuries, Pastor said.

Xcel Energy also was on the scene to inspect the lines.

When trimming trees "anywhere remotely close" to a power line, it is important to contact the power company beforehand or call a professional tree trimmer, because the electricity can jump, Pastor said.